X-ray computed laminography (CL) is an advanced non-contact nondestructive three-dimensional testing method. It can visualize the internal structure and defects of plate-shell products with high-resolution images and overcome the shortcomings of the traditional computed tomography (CT) technique. In the field of aerospace

there are many plateshell components such as solar panels

tails

engine turbine discs

blades and microelectronic chips. Effective nondestructive testing and evaluation of internal damage and defects is an important guarantee for flight safety of aerospace vehicles. Based on the applications of nondestructive testing for aerospace plate and shell structures and the author’s engineering practice in this field

this paper briefly describes the principle and characteristics of CL

summarizes its research progresses

analyses its key techniques and difficulties

and looks forward to its promising future.