The invention provides a composite laminated armor structure for absorbing
and dissipating kinetic energy from a projectile fired at the armor
structure. The armor structure is low in volume and weight and can resist
penetration by AP ammunition. The armor structure comprises a plurality
of sheets of two-dimensional woven fiberglass fabric, and a plurality of
sheets of three-dimensional woven fiberglass fabric, bound with a resin
matrix. According to one embodiment, the armor structure includes a back
laminate section of the two-dimensional woven fiberglass fabric sheets
bound with a resin matrix, a front laminate section of the
two-dimensional woven fiberglass fabric sheets bound with the resin
matrix, an intermediate section of the three-dimensional woven fiberglass
fabric sheets bound with the resin matrix, a first metal alloy armor
plate adhered to the back laminate section in opposing relation to the
intermediate section, and a second metal alloy armor plate adhered to the
front laminate section in opposing relation to the intermediate section.