A blade comprising: a platform; an airfoil portion formed from a first lightweight metallic material, having a forward airfoil edge, a first airfoil surface, and a second airfoil surface; and a sheath portion formed from a second high-strength metallic material, the sheath portion having a sheath head section, a first sheath flank and a second sheath flank, both flanks extending chordwise rearwardly from the forward sheath section; wherein a density of the first metallic material is between 10% and 60% less than a density of the second metallic material; wherein a yield strength of the first metallic material is between 10% and 60% less than a yield strength of the second metallic material; wherein the sheath portion is bonded to the airfoil portion such that the sheath head section covers the forward airfoil edge to define a blade leading edge; the first sheath flank covers a portion of the first airfoil surface proximate the airfoil forward edge, jointly defining a blade suction surface; and the second sheath flank covers a portion of the second airfoil surface proximate the airfoil forward edge, jointly defining a blade pressure surface opposite the blade suction surface; wherein the sheath has an inner sheath region proximate the platform and an outer sheath region distal from the platform; and a chordwise dimension of the sheath head section tapers between a dimension in the outer sheath region and a dimension at the inner sheath end such that the chordwise dimension of the sheath head section is between 3% and 20% of an average chordwise dimension in an inner span region of the blade and the chordwise dimension of the sheath head section is between 8% and 20% of an average chordwise dimension in an outer span region of the blade. a platform; an airfoil portion formed from a first lightweight metallic material, having a forward airfoil edge, a first airfoil surface, and a second airfoil surface; and a sheath portion formed from a second high-strength metallic material, the sheath portion having a sheath head section, a first sheath flank and a second sheath flank, both flanks extending chordwise rearwardly from the forward sheath section; wherein a density of the first metallic material is between 10% and 60% less than a density of the second metallic material; wherein a yield strength of the first metallic material is between 10% and 60% less than a yield strength of the second metallic material; wherein the sheath portion is bonded to the airfoil portion such that the sheath head section covers the forward airfoil edge to define a blade leading edge; the first sheath flank covers a portion of the first airfoil surface proximate the airfoil forward edge, jointly defining a blade suction surface; and the second sheath flank covers a portion of the second airfoil surface proximate the airfoil forward edge, jointly defining a blade pressure surface opposite the blade suction surface; wherein the sheath has an inner sheath region proximate the platform and an outer sheath region distal from the platform; and a chordwise dimension of the sheath head section tapers between a dimension in the outer sheath region and a dimension at the inner sheath end such that the chordwise dimension of the sheath head section is between 3% and 20% of an average chordwise dimension in an inner span region of the blade and the chordwise dimension of the sheath head section is between 8% and 20% of an average chordwise dimension in an outer span region of the blade.