Naval armour
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Naval armor refers to the various protections schemes employed by warships. The first ironclad warship was created in 1859, and the pace of armour advancement accelerated quickly thereafter. The emergence of battleships around the turn of the 20th century saw ships become increasingly large and well armoured. Vast quantities of heavily armoured ships were used during the World Wars, and were crucial in the outcome. The emergence of guided missiles in the last part of the 20th century has greatly reduced the utility of armor, and most modern warships are now only lightly armored.
Illustration of turtle ship based on a ship that existed in 1795 and that was believed to be similar to the variants constructed in the 1590s.
HMS Warrior during her third commission between 1867 and 1871
Sloped armour on the front of Soviet T-54 tank, here cut open to demonstrate the increase in effective thickness.
HMS Glatton in drydock, circa 1914–1918, showing its anti-torpedo bulge
Armoured flight deck
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An armoured flight deck is an aircraft carrier flight deck that incorporates substantial armour in its design.
HMS Formidable on fire following a kamikaze strike, Okinawa, 9 May 1945. Total casualties, 3 dead and 19 wounded.
USS Franklin listing, with crew on deck, due to two armor piercing bomb hits penetrating the unarmoured flight deck, 19 March 1945. Total casualties, 807 dead and 487 wounded.