Multilayer backing materials for composite armor

A bonded multilayer armor stack having an exposed strike face, said armor stack comprising:

• a ceramic layer having a rear face, a front face, and at least one peripheral edge, said exposed strike face formed from at least a part of said front face;
• an elastomeric coating layer having a first face layer and a second face layer, wherein said rear face and, optionally, at least one said peripheral edge, of said ceramic layer is coated with one of the two faces of said elastomeric coating layer;
• and
• a bonded multilayer backing layer bonded to the other of the two faces of said elastomeric coating layer, said backing layer comprised of least two further layers, said two further layers each comprising, in alternating sub-layers, an elastomeric interstitial layer and an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene layer, and having an areal density in the range of about 125 to 400 g/m2.