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'Belt armor' is a layer of armor-plating outside the hull of warhsips, typically on battleships, battlecruisers cruisers and some aircraft carriers.^[1]
Typically the belt covered from the deck down someway below the waterline of the ship. If built within the hull, rather than forming the outer hull it could be fitted at an inclined angle to improve the protection.
When struck by a shell or torpedo, the belt armor triggers the fuse and detonates the device before it can penetrate or seriously damage the main hull, protecting the integrity of the ship. Spaced armor is used in combat vehicles for the same purpose.
The air-space between the belt and the hull also adds buoyancy. Several wartime vessels had belt armor that was thinner or shallower than was desirable, to speed production and conserve resources.

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See also

See also

★ Torpedo belt

★ Protected cruiser

★ Armored cruiser