Although it still seems more like science fiction, military planes that fire lasers to destroy targets on the ground are not far away.

Boeing said this week that it has taken delivery of a C-130 for its Advanced Tactical Laser program, which will be able to deliver speed-of-light fire at ground targets.

The plane will now be modified to carry a high energy chemical laser under development in Albuquerque, N.M. In 2007, Boeing says, it will install the laser and test fire it at ground targets through a 50-inch diameter hole in the plane's belly.

Then it's up to the Department of Defense to decide if this new kind of weapons system will be fully developed for the battlefields of the future.