Abstract: The optimal configuration sequence for the anti-fragment penetration performance of steel, ceramic and UHMWPE fiber laminates was studied in this paper. With the same impact velocity, penetration tests of ballistic gun-propelled cylindrical fragments to 5 kinds of composite structures with the same areal density had been carried out to seek the optimal configuration sequence. The comparison of penetration effect between 5 kinds of composite structures showed that steel/UHMWPE composite structure is superior in ballistic resistance. Then, the specific energy absorption was calculated to compare the anti-penetration capability of steel/UHMWPE composite structure with Q235 steel. The results showed that the specific energy absorption of steel/UHMWPE composite structure is 3.55 times as high as that of Q235 steel.