Projectile launching apparatus and methods for fire fighting

A fire fighting apparatus for fighting a fire having a relatively large area, said apparatus including:

• (a) a targeting system for identifying a target area to be doused with fire retardant;
• and
• (b) an ordnance for discharging a multiplicity of projectiles having the fire retardant contained therein, wherein said ordnance includes at least one barrel assembly, said at least one barrel assembly having a barrel, a plurality of projectiles axially disposed within the barrel for operative sealing engagement with the bore of the barrel, and discrete propellant charges for propelling respective projectiles sequentially through the muzzle of the barrel, whereby said fire retardant is dispersed over the target area.

A projectile launching apparatus for rapidly delivering matter or objects to a target fire at a remote site, said apparatus including:

• a barrel assembly comprising a barrel having a plurality of projectiles arranged in-line within the barrel and associated with discrete selectively ignitable propellant charges for propelling the projectiles sequentially through the muzzle of the barrel, which barrel assembly is capable of firing a plurality of projectiles each having a containment for matter or objects to be delivered to the remote site;
• and
• a control means for aiming and controlling the rate of fire of projectiles and the quantity of the projectiles fired, whereby the contaminants of said projectiles are loaded with matter or objects comprising fire retardants, dousing or extinguishing means and said Projectiles may be fired in a controlled manner toward the target fire.