Abstract: In the field of NDT, with the advantages of real-time, non-contact, high detection accuracy and easy to achieve automation and many others, machine vision is gradually replacing the traditional visual detection for cracks, surface scratches, pits, broken nails and other structural surface damage detection and quantitative characterization. Based on the review of the development of machine vision technology, this paper mainly introduces the research achievements and application progress of machine vision in aircraft structural damage detection in recent years. Combined with the requirements of aircraft structural damage in-situ detection engineering, the development trend of machine vision technology is discussed and prospected.