Abstract: Profile design is the basis of modern aero engine and gas turbine aerodynamic and thermodynamic research. As an economic tool, cascade test can be used to explore the profile design method and verify the engineering design in a short time. It plays an important role in the modern compressor and turbine aerodynamic design. The simulation of experimental environment and state is the key of cascade experiment. With the development of the profile design technology and the improvement of cascade performance, profile tests should be expanded and improved to get the variation rules of the profile total performance more accurately and reliably, such as the flow periodicity control, Axial velocity density ratio, 3D effect, low Reynolds number, unsteady flow etc., which would lay the foundation for the research of flow mechanism and flow characteristics that leads to performance change. The history of cascade experimental technology development is introduced in this paper, and the recent research orientations and hotpots are analyzed to provide a reference for relevant studies.