The　dynamic　response　of　clamped　square　sandwich　panels　with　layered-gradient　closed-cell　aluminum　foam　cores　under　the　impact　of　metallic　foam　projectiles　is　investigated.　The　present　solutions　are　compared　to　those　results　of　monolithic　solid　plates　and　non-graded　monolithic　core　sandwich　panels.　The　resistance　performance　of　specimens　to　projectile　impact　is　estimated　by　the　maximum　transient　central-point　deflection　of　back　face-sheet.　Results　indicate　that　all　the　sandwich　panels　have　a　better　shock　resistance　performance　than　the　monolithic　solid　plate　with　the　equivalent　mass,　and　the　resistance　of　sandwich　panels　to　shock　loading　could　be　improved　by　utilizing　the　layered-gradient　cores.　The　sandwich　configuration　is　demonstrated　to　be　able　to　effectively　contribute　to　energy　absorption　and　material　efficiency,　and　the　positive　gradient-core　configuration　is　the　best　choice　in　term　of　specific　energy　absorption.　The　strain-rate　effect　of　face-sheet　and　core　materials　can　mitigate　the　deformation　of　the　back　face-sheet　of　specimens　due　to　its　hardening　effect.　©　2018,　©　2018　Taylor　&　Francis　Group,　LLC.