Sandwich structures with advanced composite facesheets are attracting much attention as a solution to maximize the potential of composite materials. However, the composite sandwich structures are prone to damage, such as impact damage and debonding. Although these damages are difficult to detect using conventional nondestructive inspection method, they cause significant reduction in the mechanical properties. Hence, several researchers have attempted to detect and suppress the damages using smart sensors and actuators. In this paper recent developments on smart technologies to improve reliability of the composite sandwich structures are reviewed. First, the state-of-the-art sandwich technology in aerospace application is presented. Next, typical damages in composite sandwich structures are described, which is essential to effectively apply the smart technologies to sandwich structures. Then, smart technologies which have been applied to sandwich structures are briefly shown with focusing specific properties of sandwich structures. It includes damage detection using dynamic response, wave propagation and optical fiber sensors. Finally, a smart honeycomb sandwich concept is also presented.