This paper describes the state of the art for the development of metallic armor materials which are mainly used as armor plates of the combat vehicles. Several important micro-structural features affecting ballistic properties of the metallic armor are discussed. Optimization of the strength and toughness balance of the metallic armor is necessary for the improvement of the ballistic performance resulting from maximizing the resistance to the penetration of the bullet and also to brittle failure of the plates. Understanding and control of the adiabatic shearing phenomenon developed remarkably during high strain rate deformation is needed to prevent brittle failure of the metallic armor materials.