A general framework has been developed to investigate dynamic stability of composite plates under dynamic and static compressive loads. A variationally consistent, higher-order shear deformation theory has been used to model the displacement field. The linear strain-displacement relationship corresponding to the small deformation assumption is used first. Both transverse shear and rotary inertia effects are taken into account. The mathematical model is implemented using the finite element approach. The impact of delamination on the natural frequencies, critical buckling load, and instability...