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March 14, 2005 12:00 PM, EST

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espite big investments in security, the U.S. aviation system is vulnerable to terrorist attacks, the New York Times reported Monday.

The paper said in a front-page story that intelligence indicates that Al Qaeda may have discussed plans to hijack chartered planes, helicopters and other aircraft less well-guarded than commercial airliners.

The information was within a previously undisclosed 24-page special assessment on aviation security by the FBI and the Department of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøland Security two weeks ago, the paper reported.

Commercial airliners are also likely to remain a target and a platform for terrorists, the report said, and Al Qaeda appeared determined to test new security measures to uncover weaknesses, the Times reported.