Abstract: The simulation model was established for the damage analysis of laminated polymer matrix composites under high velocity oblique impact by 3D visco-elastic constitutive equations. The cohesive elements were involved between layers to simulate delaminations and the 3D-Hashin failure criteria were used to predict the in-plane damage. Furthermore, the failure process and damage characters of composite laminates under high velocity oblique impact were studied by the non-linear finite element method and stiffness reduction schemes. It is found that the delamination, matrix crack and fiber breakage are the main damage modes of composite laminates. The residual velocity reduces and damage area changes markedly within a certain range of entering angles when entering angle increases and impact velocity keeps unchanged. The residual velocity increases and damage area changes markedly within a certain range of entering angles when entering angle keeps unchanged and impact velocity increases.