noun
reconnaissance plane; spy plane
Military aircraft used for gathering intelligence; 偵察機 is the standard term, while 'spy plane' is a more colloquial English equivalent.
敵の偵察機が国境付近を飛行している。
An enemy reconnaissance plane is flying near the border.
偵察機が撮影した写真を分析する。
Analyze the photos taken by the spy plane.
戦闘機 is a fighter aircraft designed for air-to-air combat, whereas 偵察機 is primarily for intelligence gathering and may be unarmed or lightly armed.
Compound of 偵察 (reconnaissance) + 機 (aircraft).