To improve the lightning protection performance of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), matrix modified CFRP laminate specimens with a carbon fiber mass fraction of 0~40% were prepared by vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding technology. Through the lightning current impulse test, the damage behaviors of the traditional copper mesh protective laminate and the matrix modified laminate were systematically compared. The results show that the unmodified specimens exhibit warping and exposure of fiber, and the damage area significantly expands with the increase of the current. The copper mesh protective laminate specimen fails in protection when subjects to a current impact of more than 43 000 A, and the damaged area reaches 1 126 mm². The surface of the matrix modified laminate specimens is not punctured, and the damaged area is only 1 023 mm²at a current of 59 000 A.