The paper reports on a test and evaluation programme to compare different non-destructive inspection and evaluation methods for the inspection of sandwich panels. A large number of panels were made for benchmark testing. The specimens contained defects of various sizes which were located at different depths. These specimens were tested in the laboratory using ultrasound, thermographic, microwave and mechanical methods. In addition field tests were carried out in ship yards to determine the performance of the chosen NDE/NDI methods in a production environment. The paper summarises the results, comparing the different methods and showing their respective capabilities and limitations.