A lightweight ballistic armor system for protection against projectiles comprising: at least one metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803) having a predetermined defined thickness and comprising a plurality of slotted holes (130; 230) set at an angle relative to the vertical orientation or axis of said metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803), said plurality of slotted holes (130; 230) being sufficiently small to prevent the passage of a projectile therethrough; a laminate composite backing material (120; 220; 802) secured to said metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803), wherein said laminate composite backing material (120; 220; 802) comprises a cross-sectional composition of a backing material of fibers being at least one material selected from the group consisting of aramid fiber, S-glass, E-glass, polypropylene, and UHMWPE, and being in combination with a polymer resin-based binder material; wherein said at least one metal strike face plate (120; 210; 803) includes a proximate metal strike face plate that is proximate to said laminate composite backing material (120; 220; 802), said proximate metal strike face plate and said composite backing material being separated by a space to define a distance therebetween, wherein said space comprises a maximum distance of 30,48 cm (12 inches), wherein said metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803) is a perforated metal, and wherein said metal strike face (110; 210; 803) plate comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of steel, perforated hardened steel, steel alloys, aluminum, magnesium and titanium, wherein said at least one metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803) comprises a total thickness in the range from 0,254 cm (0,1 inch) to 3,81 cm (1,5 inches), wherein said plurality of slotted holes (130; 230) are selected from the group consisting of angled slotted holes and straight slotted holes, wherein said plurality of slotted holes (130; 230) are set at an angle in a range of 0° - 60° relative to the vertical orientation of said metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803), and wherein said laminate composite backing material (120; 220; 802) comprises a thickness in the range of 0,254 cm to 10,16 cm (0,1 to 4 inches), characterized by an environmentally insensitive layer comprising a polymer or metal applied directly onto a surface of said laminate composite backing material (120; 220; 802) facing said metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803), wherein said system has a weight in a range of 4,9 to 170,9 kg/m 2 (1,0 to 35 psf). at least one metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803) having a predetermined defined thickness and comprising a plurality of slotted holes (130; 230) set at an angle relative to the vertical orientation or axis of said metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803), said plurality of slotted holes (130; 230) being sufficiently small to prevent the passage of a projectile therethrough; a laminate composite backing material (120; 220; 802) secured to said metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803), wherein said laminate composite backing material (120; 220; 802) comprises a cross-sectional composition of a backing material of fibers being at least one material selected from the group consisting of aramid fiber, S-glass, E-glass, polypropylene, and UHMWPE, and being in combination with a polymer resin-based binder material; wherein said at least one metal strike face plate (120; 210; 803) includes a proximate metal strike face plate that is proximate to said laminate composite backing material (120; 220; 802), said proximate metal strike face plate and said composite backing material being separated by a space to define a distance therebetween, wherein said space comprises a maximum distance of 30,48 cm (12 inches), wherein said metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803) is a perforated metal, and wherein said metal strike face (110; 210; 803) plate comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of steel, perforated hardened steel, steel alloys, aluminum, magnesium and titanium, wherein said at least one metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803) comprises a total thickness in the range from 0,254 cm (0,1 inch) to 3,81 cm (1,5 inches), wherein said plurality of slotted holes (130; 230) are selected from the group consisting of angled slotted holes and straight slotted holes, wherein said plurality of slotted holes (130; 230) are set at an angle in a range of 0° - 60° relative to the vertical orientation of said metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803), and wherein said laminate composite backing material (120; 220; 802) comprises a thickness in the range of 0,254 cm to 10,16 cm (0,1 to 4 inches), characterized by an environmentally insensitive layer comprising a polymer or metal applied directly onto a surface of said laminate composite backing material (120; 220; 802) facing said metal strike face plate (110; 210; 803), wherein said system has a weight in a range of 4,9 to 170,9 kg/m 2 (1,0 to 35 psf).