Metal alloy fan blades reinforced with a metal matrix composite for enhancing stiffness of the fan blades without a significant weight penalty, and which are suitable for use in high bypass turbofan engines. The metal matrix composite is bonded to each fan blade near its root so as to increase stiffness and thereby provide frequency and stability control to the fan blades. As a result, a lower engine weight can be realized by using more fan blades without the need for a part span shroud.