Military vehicle survivability can be enhanced by implementing Lightweight Fuel Tanks with an Engineered Self-Sealing and Energy Absorbing solution. A thin walled plastic or aluminum fuel tank with an outer self-sealing protection coating and a properly installed ballistic baffle provide increased sealing performance as compared to amour protected fuel tank. Design features include reduced weight penalty, survivability, self-sealing against kinetic energy threats, maximum fuel in space claim, flexible design, and low tooling charges.