Description: The proposed Phase I SBIR proposes a low density (0.75-1.2g/cc)syntactic aluminum foam energy absorber co-manufactured inside a composite fan case for turbine engines. Metal syntactic foams provide more energy absorption than any type other metal or non metallic foam on a volumetric basis (80-150J/cm^3). This will provide a lower weight alternative to hard wall fan casings and a smaller wall alternative to soft walled fan casings. The phase I program will test Syntactic aluminum foam and integrated carbon fiber aluminum syntactic foam panels under high strain rate conditions and under a blade failure ballistic test.