Apparatus for launching an object in a fluid environment

An apparatus for launching an object in a fluid environment, comprising:

• a tubular member having a forward muzzle end and an opposed rearward end, the tubular member having a longitudinally extending axis, an exterior wall confronting the fluid environment and an interior wall defining an interior region for receiving an object to be launched;
• a muzzle expellable member closing the forward muzzle end of the tubular member;
• a breech expellable member closing the rearward end of the tubular member;
• at least one flood valve member enabling environmental fluid to flood the interior region so as to equalize pressure between the interior and exterior walls of the tubular member;
• an object contact member slidably disposed within the tubular member interior region and movable along the longitudinally extending axis, the object contact member contacting and moving the object;
• a propellant device disposed in said tubular member between the breech expellable member and the object contact member, the propellant device being configured to produce gas in successive bursts that are sufficient to propel the object contact member in the direction of the forward muzzle end;
• and
• a control device joined to the flood valve member, the expellable members and the propellant device.