Enhanced ballistic resistance of multilayered cross-ply UHMWPE laminated plates

•The ballistic resistance of multilayered UHMMPE cross-ply laminates under the impact of blunt projectiles was investigated, both experimentally and numerically.•The penetration resistance could be improved by layering the target, and the enhancement was more pronounced as the number of layers was increased.•Mechanisms underlying the superior ballistic resistance of the multilayered target were discussed.