As its high quality, high efficiency, high molding adaptability and low scrap rate, automatic fiber placement process is especially suitable for the automatic manufacture of large complex composite components, such as fuselage, inlet, bearing cone, blended wing body. In this paper, the developments of automated fiber placement equipment were reviewed, from the perspective of lathe bed, tow storage box, placement head. Moreover, research and application status of automated fiber placement equipment in China was analyzed. Finally, the future of placement equipment was predicted.