The work aims to promote the research and application of cushioning materials for parachute-free airdrop, improve and optimize the performance of cushioning materials for parachute-free airdrop, and provide a more reliable and efficient support for material delivery in China. On the basis of summarizing the research status of cushioning materials for parachute-free airdrop, the cushioning performance characteristics and applicability of different materials were compared. With the continuous progress of cushioning material technology, traditional cushioning materials combined with new composite cushioning materials such as foam metal and intelligent materials could effectively improve the safety and stability of material landing, reduce equipment damage and maintenance costs, and improve the efficiency of emergency rescue and relief. The future development direction of cushioning materials for parachute-free airdrop is to improve the cushioning performance and stability, and pay attention to green packaging materials, energy-absorbing cushioning materials, innovative material packaging methods, and integration of informationalized and intelligent materials, in order to meet the needs of all kinds of materials for parachute-free airdrop cushioning materials.