Abstract: A cascade assembly (14) for use in a thrust reversing mechanism (16) of a jet engine (18) includes at least one group of substantially identically-shaped cascade elements (28) each in the shape of a predefined polygon. The cascade elements (28) are positioned in an array, wherein each cascade element (28) in the group may be interchanged in a location in the array with any other cascade element (28) in the group. In a first preferred embodiment, the predefined polygon is a regular polygon and each cascade element (28) is rotatable in its array position about an axis generally normal to the cascade element (28). The array substantially approximates sections of two intersecting spheres, wherein a central axis of the array is generally coincident with the longitudinal axis of the jet engine (18).