An armor system matrix is provided, having a multiple layer system of very hard geometric objects tensionally restrained in their layers by fiber material interwoven about the objects with the objects and fiber material being bonded together by an adhesive material. The objects are substantially spherical ceramic material which may be of different dimensions, each ceramic sphere being substantially in contact with adjacent spheres on the same and adjacent parallel layers. Larger ceramic spheres may be located in the layers closer to the exposed surface of the armor system. The tensional relationship of the ceramic objects in each layer effectively distributes the impact of projectiles over a greater surface area.