To investigate the ballistic performance and damage characteristics of quasi threedimensional(3D) needle-punched Cf/SiC composites prepared by chemical vapor infiltration(CVI),penetration experiments were conducted by using 7.62 mm armor piercing incendiary(API).Macro and micro fracture morphologies were then observed on recycled targets.The results show that the protection coefficient of 3D Cf/SiC composites is 2.54.High porosity and many micro thermal stress cracks may directly lead to the lower ballistic performance.Flat fracture morphology was observed on the crater surface.The low dynamic fracture strength along layer direction may be attributed to the voids and microcracks caused by residual thermal stress.The damage characteristics of Cf/Si C composites include matrix cracking,fiber bundle cracking,interfacial debonding,fiber fracture,and fiber bundle pull-out.And interfacial debonding and fiber fracture may play major roles in energy absorption. To investigate the ballistic performance and damage characteristics of quasi threedimensional (3D) needle-punched Cf / SiC composites prepared by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI), penetration experiments were conducted by using 7.62 mm armor piercing incendiary (API). Macro and micro fracture morphologies were then observed on recycled targets. Results show that the protection coefficient of 3D Cf / SiC composites is 2.54. High porosity and many micro thermal stress cracks may directly lead to the lower ballistic performance. Flat fracture morphology was observed on the crater surface. The low dynamic fracture strength along layer direction may be attributed to the voids and microcracks caused by residual thermal stress. The damage characteristics of Cf / Si C composites include matrix cracking, fiber bundle cracking, interfacial debonding, fiber fracture, and fiber bundle pull- out.And interfacial debonding and fiber fracture may play major roles in energy absorption.