What was the last Western warship class to carry meaningful armour?
Short answerIt depends on the standard of protection: Vanguard and the Iowas illustrate battleship-scale armour, while carriers and other modern ships retain more local protection.
NotesDan names the Ford-class carriers. Clarke distinguishes battleship-scale armour, associated with Vanguard and the Iowas, from cruiser-scale coverage and protection around critical spaces. Modern ships can retain local protection without a battleship armour scheme. Carrier protection is acknowledged, and Dan also mentions Kevlar around parts of Arleigh Burke destroyers. Suspected armour arrangements on other ships remain unspecified.