These are photos of Honeywell helium-neon laser-based ring laser gyros GG1342, GG1320, and GG1308 at present. Even so, this is already believed to be the most comprehensive selection of detailed publically accessible RLG photos on the Web - or in the explored Universe. ;-) That is, until the Kearfott IRU/RLG photos were posted. ;-)
Much more information on ring laser gyros and details on all of these may be found at Sam's Laser FAQ Chapter: Laser Intruments and Applications in the sections starting with "Ring Laser Gyros".
[Only about 3 people per decade visit the Laser Equipment Gallery ;-), the existing format was archaic, and I am lazy. So going forward, we will use the Windows App "Web Album Generator" for most of the collections. Higher resolution versions of the photo are usually available by copying the title under the navigation links (NOT the file name) and appending a ".jpg" to it. Even higher resolution versions may be available to a good cause. Ask.]
Each of the following collections are also available with essentially the same photos as a Web Album in addition to the archaic hand-coded LEG Gallery format.
This is the complete core assembly of the Honeywell GG1342 ring laser gyro. The exterior view is of a unit manufactured in 1985 but the skins don't survive going inside. ;( :-) So, a different unit (which I acquired first already partially disassembled) was used for the interior views. Based on date codes found on several parts, it was manufactured in the early 1990s. However, the internal construction of the two units is virtually identical.
Also included are photos of the HeNe laser power supply PCB with individual outputs for the three GG1342s in the inertial platform. And an acceleromater because it would feel lonely if left out. ;-)
The GG1342 was the first RLG Honeywell produced commercially, but is structurally and functionally similar to later models like the still current GG1320 (below).
The Honeywell GG1320 RLG is used in numerous inertial navigation systems and the current version is still considered state-of-the-art. It has been in production in some form least back to the mid-1990s. And as of 2026 and Honeywell claims that over 500,000 units have been delivered.
There are two known versions of the GG1320 though each may have multiple revisions:
Honeywell calls it a "Digital Ring Laser Gyro" as all the control electronics are contained within the 3.45 inch diameter, 1 pound package. Input is +5 VDC and +15 VDC, a Reset pulse, and Sample Request pulses. The status and angle data are returned via RS422.
There used to be a color photo of a version of the GG1320AN innerds on the Honeywell Website though it differed from the one documented here and may be an earlier revision. This is a copy: Honeywell GG1320AN Photo. I'm hoping to find samples of that one. And it has been superseeded by a much more boring photo of the outside of the GG1320AN case. ;-(
Honeywell GG1320AN Ring Laser Gyro Web Album:
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- GG1320AN laser block bottom view. The black rubber webbing secures the various wires going to the white connectors. The dither motor (top and bottom) is the only point of rigid contact with the RLG structure.
Honeywell GG1320AF Ring Laser Gyro Web Album (No Gallery photos):
Descriptons of the Web Album Photos:
Of the three GG1320AFs, #1 appears healthy based on the discharge color; #2 required a few hours of run time for the discharge color to recover and is what is used for most of these photos, and #3 is nearly up to air and thus very dead with no hope of recovery. #2 was used for most of these photos but the others may have had cameo roles in tight spots. ;-)
The Honeywell HG1700 IMG (Inertial Measurement Unit) is used in a variety of applications like missiles, UAVs, UUVs, and and other drones where the lower performance and life expectancy of the very small GG1308 RLGs (leg length of 0.8 inches) is adequate.
The HG1700 consists of three GG1308 RLGs, three vibrating beam quartz accelerometers, and the integrated power supplies and communications and control PCB, all in a package under 4x4x4 inches overall weighing less than 2 pounds.
The first few photos are similar to those of the HG1700 found on the Web; many of the others are of various stages of disassembly and its guts, and are not available elsewhere anywhere. :-)
Since I've yet to find specs on the external connector to be able to power the entire HG1700, the photos of the RLGs lit in all their glory were taken using an adjustable output HeNe laser power supply with an external 3.3M ohm ballast resistor for each of the three anodes and six cathodes. The power supply voltage is around 1.5 kV for all the photos which includes the voltage drop across the external ballasts, internal ballasts and other circuitry which is part of the potted VMI module, and the discharges themselves. The starting voltage is between 1.5 and 2.0 kV. The operating current is under 0.105 mA for each discharge with a discharge voltage of around 0.5 kV. The dropout current is under 0.067 mA at a total operating voltage less than 1 kV. Note that much of the total voltage is made up of the drops across the external ballasts, which would not be present for actual operation, though there is probably some amount of active current regulation for at least half the discharge paths to fine tune lasing gain. So the high voltage inside the HG1700 under normal conditions isn't that high. :)
If anyone has access to documentation, please contact me via the links at the top or bottom of this page.
Honeywell HG1700AG59 IMU with Triple Ring Laser Gyro Web Album:
This one has a manufacturing data of 2013. The case at least is very sliglty different than the one in the Web Album below from 2005.
Honeywell HG1700AG13 IMU with Triple Ring Laser Gyro Web Album:
This one has a manufacturing data of 2004. The case at least is very sliglty different than the one above.
Descriptons of the Web Album Photos:
Coming soon.
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