Enhancing resistance of honeycomb sandwich panel under local impact through face sheet-core matching relationship

• A matching coefficient λ (core thickness to face sheet thickness ratio) links structural parameters to local impact response and performance. • The theoretical model accurately predicts response modes and key impact indicators, validated by experiments and finite element simulations. • Increasing λ enhances indentation resistance but raises penetration risk, whereas decreasing λ improves penetration resistance but may cause rear face sheet deformation. • The reverse design methodology significantly boosts penetration resistance, reducing indentation depth by 27.4% and indentation radius by 41.8%.