In order to investigate the influence of configuration of target on the ballistic performance, monolithic and three-layered targets were normally impacted by blunt-nosed projectiles in the velocity range of 190～450 m／s with the help of a gas gun, and also the photos of the impact process were obtained. Based on the tests, the residual velocity versus the initial velocity curves of the projectiles were constructed, and also ballistic limit velocities were obtained. The influence of combination configuration of target on the ballistic characteristic, including the ballistic resistance and failure models were investigated. Moreover, the penetration process of metal plates impacted by rod projectiles had been studied with numerical simulation code ABAQUS／EXPLICIT, and also the validation of models and parameters of materials had been proved by comparing the experiment results with numerical simulations. The results indicated that the ballistic limit velocity of multi-layered target was higher than that of monolithic target, and also there were differences between failure models of multi-layered targets and monolithic target. Moreover, the failure models of plates of multi-layered targets were in relation to their order.