A powered bow for launching a projectile includes a stock (15), a grip (16), and a body portion. The body portion includes a groove (20) for receiving and supporting the projectile, a carriage (5) slidably mounted in the body portion, an energy storing device (14), an energy releasing assembly coupling the carriage with the energy storing device, a latch releasably engaged with the carriage, and a trigger coupled to the latch. The projectile, such as an arrow or a bolt, is propelled by stored energy in the form of compressed fluid, such as air or gas, or springs or the like, the energy being coupled to the arrow by means of a portion of a cable, belt or chain (2) carried on the carriage or pusher riding in a slot and actuated by the cable, belt or chain. The energy storage and release mechanism of the bow is internal to the bow, and the arrow is consistently propelled in a straight line, without safety concerns from sweeping strings or bow arms.