Research into dynamics and control of large flexible spacecraft has a history of several decades. More recently, application of these techniques to naval structural acoustics has received attention. The dynamic similarity of these two applications is uncanny. This presentation will offer a broad overview of several years of work performed in the Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT in the area of sensor and actuator development for active control of structural dynamics and structural acoustics. Early focus was on piezoceramic actuation of thin metal and composite plates. Current projects include piezoceramic actuation of machinery mounts; piezoceramic actuation of aerodynamic surfaces; piezoceramic and electrostrictive actuation of optical components; piezoceramic actuation of specific traveling wave components in bending; piezeoceramic actuation and sensing of truss structures; customized spatially distributed strain sensing with PVDF film; low stiffness spacecraft mounting systems with PVDF film actuation; and basic comparison and classification of a range of solid‐state actuation possibilities.