Abstract: A device is provided for protecting a structure, such as an aircraft structure. The device includes, but is not limited to a skin made of a material comprising a multitude of alternating aluminium and glass-fibre reinforced plastic layers (e.g., GLARE), each being a few tenths of a millimetre in thickness. The skin is attachable to the structure so that a space is created between the structure and the skin, into which space the skin deforms when a force acts on it, so as to absorb the force acting on the skin, thereby minimizing and preferably preventing damage to the structure.