•A dynamic analytical model is developed to predict the dynamic response of metal foam core sandwich plates struck by heavy mass with low-velocity.•Large deflection effect is included in analysis by considering the interaction between the plastic bending and stretching.•The dynamic response and energy absorption of the sandwich plates depend on the impact location of the striker. An analytical model is developed to predict the dynamic response of fully clamped square sandwich plate with metal foam core struck transversely by a heavy mass with low-velocity. Large deflection effect is incorporated in analysis by considering the interaction between the plastic bending and stretching. The analytical expressions are obtained for the structural deflection, the structural response time and the impact force. The finite element results validate the accuracy of the analytical model and good agreement is achieved.