Abstract Advanced composite materials and fiber‐metal laminates (FMLs) have the potential to offer significant improvements in weight savings and durability in airframe structures. FMLs are an advanced hybrid material system consisting of metal layers bonded with fiber‐reinforced polymer layers. This paper presents an overview of the history of fibre‐metal‐laminates, describes several common types and also discusses the results of impact durability experiments conducted at the Structures, Materials and Propulsion Laboratory of the Institute for Aerospace Research (SMPL‐IAR) of the National Research Council Canada (NRCC). An impact fixture was developed specifically for FMLs and is also described. Numerous low velocity impact tests have been carried out that demonstrate the improved impact response of FMLs over traditional composite materials. This research builds upon earlier impact testing on carbon‐fiber‐reinforced polymers conducted by NRCC and Carleton University.