In order to meet the requirements of maneuverability and protection performance of light armored vehicles under modern warfare conditions, the current status of application of armored protective materials and the testing methods for mechanical properties under different strain rates were reviewed. Experimental tests, numerical simulations and theories of armored protective performance evaluation was discussed. The influence of materials, structural forms, layer thickness, restraint effects and the interface between layers on the protective performance of light multi-layer composite armor was introduced.The trends of future development was proposed.