Abstract In this paper, based on LS-Dyna code, a new finite element (FE) simulation of the ballistic perforation of the ceramic/composite targets, which impacted by cylindrical tungsten projectiles, has been presented. Research on this method has been conducted by a few research groups in recent years. The ceramic material, which is the front plate, has been made of Alumina 99.5% and composite back-up plate composed of Twaron fibers. The 2-dimensional (2D), axi-symmetric, dynamic-explicit, Lagrangian model has been considered in this simulation. The Johnson–Cook, Johnson–Holmquist and Composite-Damage materials behaviors have been used for projectile, ceramic and composite materials respectively. The brittle fracture and fragmentation of ceramic conoid, the failure criteria based on fracture of fibers or matrixes of composite materials and erosion or flattening of projectile during perforation have been considered. The residual velocity and perforation time has been obtained and compared with the available analytical models. The results show that when the ceramic is impacted by a projectile, a fragmented ceramic conoid breaks from ceramic tile and the semi-angle of ceramic conoid with increasing initial velocity decreases. Furthermore, the dishing of composite layers at high impact velocities and the delamination of layers near the ballistic limit velocity decrease.