Armor and splinter protection on modern warships

The discussion notes that Kirov-class ships carried armor and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers use Kevlar around selected spaces such as combat-information and engineering areas. More generally, modern ships receive waterline splinter protection because near misses and fragments from intercepted missiles remain dangerous. HMS Penelope's wartime 'pepper pot' damage provides the historical image of repeated near misses and wooden plugs protruding from the hull like porcupine quills. Protection has shifted toward vital zones and damage limitation rather than disappearing altogether.