Hull plating

Hull plating is an external armor component of a starship's hull which allows for greater resistance against space debris and enemy weapons fire.

Prior to Earth's development of shields, Starfleet equipped their vessels with the ability to polarize their hull plating, which allowed for increased hull strength in emergency situations. (Star Trek: Enterprise)

See also:
 * Hull plating relay
 * Parametallic hull plating
 * Polarized hull plating

Hüllenpanzerung