Ablative armor

Ablative armor is a type of protective hull plating used primarily on starships and later on deep space station, which possesses a capability for rapidly dissipating the energy impacts from directed energy weapon fire. Ablative armor which was developed by Starfleet in the late 24th century, was designed to provide an additional layer of defense to starships.

History
s

Starfleet began use of ablative armor technology by 2371. It was first used on the USS Defiant, the prototype of her class, during the vessel's commissioning as a station defense complement of Station Deep Space Nine after first contact with the Dominion and the Jem'Hadar. Later, after field tests with the Defiant have proven satisfactory, the technology was used on the Prometheus class of Tactical Assault Cruisers.

Vanguard Command
By 2385, ablative hull armors have been incorporated on all newly built starships and starship classes, particularly the Invincible, Suzerain and Yamato class of capital ships.

A double coating of ablative hull armor has also been integrated on the structures of the refurbished and refitted Nor class Cardassian space stations that were recommissioned by Starfleet and towed to the Gamma Quadrant and Delta Quadrant, respectively, Station Deep Space Gamma Zero-One and Station Deep Space Delta Zero-One.