Abstract: Nano-second pulse surface dielectric barrier discharge (NS-SDBD) has been a topic of great interest in the field of flow control for high speed and high Reynolds number. The recent development tendency of NS-SDBD plasma flow control is reviewed in this paper. The relevant literature of pneumatic excitation mechanism, phenomenon reveal and flow control mechanism is summarized based on experimental investigations and numerical simulations. The key scientific issues of NS-SDBD research are the mechanism of the electric field excitation-aerodynamic induction and the application of flow control. Multiple time scales and multi-physics coupling are the major difficulties of the study. The numerical algorithm and experimental method are generally used for solution of multi-time scale and multi-physics coupling issues. The breakthrough of the key scientific issues contributes to the optimization criteria for the design of the actuator and its control system.