Abstract: Ballistic experiments were performed for Kevlar/Vinyl and E-glass/Vinyl 3D orthogonal woven composites (3D-OWC) impacted by spherical and cylindrical bullets. The results show that the anti-penetration abilities of the targets against spherical bullets are higher than those against cylindrical bullets and the absorption energy per unit area density of Kevlar/Vinyl 3D-OWC is more than that of E-glass/Vinyl 3D-OWC. The major failure mechanisms at the impact sides of the targets are shear and compression failure, but only tension failure can be observed at the back sides of the targets. The z-fibers can improve the in-plane strength of 3D-OWC and the in-plane energy absorption is the major energy absorption mechanism of 3D-OWC.