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Coherent lidar/laser radar systems have been used for the remote measurement of atmospheric wind velocity since 1966. Both CW and pulsed coherent lidars have been developed and applied to a variety of ground-based and airborne applications. In recent years, most efforts have concentrated on pulsed CO/sub 2/ and solid-state Doppler lidars for the remote measurement of atmospheric wind velocities. Issues associated with the design and application of coherent lidars to atmospheric wind measurement are discussed. Coherent lidar/laser radar systems have been applied to detection and tracking of aircraft wake vortices, measurement of atmospheric wind fields during the space shuttle takeoff and landing, airborne windshear detection, ground-based airport microburst windshear monitoring, meteorological research, and environmental monitoring. Numerous examples of measurement results are presented. An assessment of the status of coherent lidar technology as practical devices for operational and research uses is addressed.