Methods and apparatus for providing ballistic protection and stopping high-velocity rounds or explosives. The apparatus may include a ballistic panel for providing ballistic protection. The ballistic panel includes a core that includes a plurality of node cells, an intermediate layer that surrounds the core and fills in the node cells, and an outer coating. The ballistic panel absorbs the force of high-velocity, ballistic, low-velocity, and high foot pound pressure rounds, fragments, and impacts and is capable of completely capturing such ballistic rounds and fragments without external deflection or complete penetration through ballistic panel.