A light-weight armor system for retrofitting onto light vehicles, such as HMMWVs, trucks, or helicopters, or incorporating into a vehicle to protect against HEAT or high explosive warheads. The armor system comprises multiple layers of a thin metal film. The front side of the thin metal sheet facing away from the vehicle is coated with a layer of zirconium nanoparticles and imprinted with a network of hollow packets filled with water and sealed. The back side of the thin metal sheet is coated with a layer of potassium bicarbonate powder. The multiple layers of metal film are imbedded in a matrix of composite foam to form a honeycomb structure that can be retrofitted onto light vehicles or used in new designs.