A method of making a light weight housing for an internal component , which is received in the light weight housing, comprising: forming a first metallic foam core into a first pre-form, the first pre-form having a first recessed pocket ; forming a second metallic foam core into a second pre-form, the second pre-form having a second recessed pocket , the first pre-form being configured to mate with the second pre-form; characterised by : inserting the internal component into the first recessed pocket of the first metallic foam core after it has been formed into the first pre-form, wherein the first pre-form and the second pre-form are configured to surround the internal component; placing the second pre-form adjacent to the first pre-form in order to secure the internal component within the first recessed pocket and the second recessed pocket of the first pre-form and the second pre-form, respectively; applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the first pre-form and the second pre-form after the first pre-form and the second pre-form have been positioned adjacent to each other and about the internal component, wherein a thickness of the external metallic shell is varied in order to provide localized structural rigidity to the housing ; and securing an inlet fitting and an outlet fitting to the housing , wherein a thermal management fluid path for the internal component into and out of the housing is provided by the inlet fitting and the outlet fitting. forming a first metallic foam core into a first pre-form, the first pre-form having a first recessed pocket ; forming a second metallic foam core into a second pre-form, the second pre-form having a second recessed pocket , the first pre-form being configured to mate with the second pre-form; characterised by : inserting the internal component into the first recessed pocket of the first metallic foam core after it has been formed into the first pre-form, wherein the first pre-form and the second pre-form are configured to surround the internal component; placing the second pre-form adjacent to the first pre-form in order to secure the internal component within the first recessed pocket and the second recessed pocket of the first pre-form and the second pre-form, respectively; applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the first pre-form and the second pre-form after the first pre-form and the second pre-form have been positioned adjacent to each other and about the internal component, wherein a thickness of the external metallic shell is varied in order to provide localized structural rigidity to the housing ; and securing an inlet fitting and an outlet fitting to the housing , wherein a thermal management fluid path for the internal component into and out of the housing is provided by the inlet fitting and the outlet fitting. inserting the internal component into the first recessed pocket of the first metallic foam core after it has been formed into the first pre-form, wherein the first pre-form and the second pre-form are configured to surround the internal component; placing the second pre-form adjacent to the first pre-form in order to secure the internal component within the first recessed pocket and the second recessed pocket of the first pre-form and the second pre-form, respectively; applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the first pre-form and the second pre-form after the first pre-form and the second pre-form have been positioned adjacent to each other and about the internal component, wherein a thickness of the external metallic shell is varied in order to provide localized structural rigidity to the housing ; and securing an inlet fitting and an outlet fitting to the housing , wherein a thermal management fluid path for the internal component into and out of the housing is provided by the inlet fitting and the outlet fitting. <EOS>