unarmoured

Unarmoured (British spelling) or unarmored (American spelling) describes equipment, vehicles, ships, or personnel that lack protective armor or armor plating. The term is used across military and civilian contexts to indicate absence of defensive covering intended to resist weapons.

In land warfare, unarmoured vehicles include cars, trucks, and light support vehicles that carry no protection against small arms fire or shrapnel. They are typically chosen for speed, lower cost, ease of maintenance, or logistical practicality, rather than for survivability. Unarmoured vehicles are more vulnerable in combat and usually rely on mobility, terrain, or supportive fire to reduce exposure.

In naval usage, unarmoured ships lack armor belts or armor decks. Historically, many early steam-powered vessels were unarmoured, especially before the advent of widespread naval armor protection. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, armored ships became dominant, though some auxiliary or support vessels remained unarmoured in various navies.

In modern contexts, the term can also describe personnel or equipment without body or structural protection. For individuals, being unarmoured means not wearing body armor, with implications for safety in potentially hostile environments. In manufacturing or infrastructure, unarmoured designs emphasize simplicity, cost, or accessibility when armor is not required.

Etymology reflects its composition: from un- (not) + armoured/armor, with spelling variants tied to regional usage. Related terms include armor, armouring, and armored vs. unarmoured classifications for equipment and vessels.