Objectives  This paper aims to study the dynamic perforation response process, failure mode transition and energy absorbtion characteristics of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene （UHMWPE）laminates against fragment-simulating projectiles (FSPs).

  Methods  FE software ANSYS/AUTODYN is employed to establish a numerical model for fragment penetration resistance of UHMWPE laminates, and analyze the failure mode transition and energy absorbtion characteristics of the target plates.

  Results  The process can be roughly divided into two stages: the shear plugging stage and stretch deformation stage. The thicker the target plate, the greater the proportion of the shear plugging mode. When the thickness of the target plate is constant, with the increase in fragment penetration velocity, the proportion of the shear plugging mode becomes larger until it reaches a stable level. In the initial small range above the ballistic limit velocity, the energy absorbtion of the target plate is negatively related to the velocity of the projectiles. As the fragment velocity increases, the shear plugging range of the fiber fracturing enlarges, and the energy absorbtion of the targets increases with the velocity of the projectiles.

  Conclusions  Based on the proposed numerical model, the dynamic response process of UHMWPE laminates against FSPs can be simulated accurately, which can provide references for the application of UHMWPE laminate plates in the ballistic protection field.