Abstract: The effect of interlayer on stress wave propagation and energy dissipation of ceramic/steel composite structure was studied by traditional Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar system in this paper. Then the ballistic performance of different structures was investigated using 12.7 mm piercing incendiary projectiles. The internal relations of stress wave propagation and ballistic performance were discussed. The results show that interlayer structures can attenuate the transmission stress level and appropriate interlayer can decrease the residual penetration of composite structure.