A pneumatic sonobuoy launcher adapted for simultaneously storing, and
sequentially and independently launching, at least two sonobuoys includes
a barrel with a closed back end, an expulsion end opposite the back end
and an interior sonobuoy-guiding channel extending between the opposed
ends. The channel is adapted for storing a series of sonobuoys including
rearwardmost and forwardmost sonobuoys stored, respectively, closest to
the back end of the barrel and closest to the expulsion end of the
barrel. Each stored sonobuoy occupies a distinct region of the channel
separated by an interval from at least one other region. An expulsion-gas
delivery system includes at least one valve that is selectively
connectable into fluid communication with an expulsion-gas supply and is
pneumatically switchable from at least (i) a first gas-channeling state
in which expulsion gas introduced through the valve is directed to a
first interval between sonobuoys to (ii) a second gas-channeling state in
which expulsion gas introduced into the valve is directed to at least one
of (a) a second interval located to the rear of the first interval and
(b) a location within the channel behind the rearwardmost sonobuoy. A
feedback conduit communicates pneumatic back pressure created upon the
expulsion of a sonobuoy to the switchable valve in order to switch the
valve from the first gas-channeling state to the second gas-channeling
state for the launch of a subsequent sonobuoy.