noun
flying vehicle; flying object; aircraft
Technical term covering any man-made object that flies, including aircraft, drones, and spacecraft. Often used in engineering, aviation, and defense contexts.
この飛行体は無人で偵察を行う。
This flying vehicle performs reconnaissance unmanned.
新しい飛行体の設計には空気力学が重要だ。
Aerodynamics is important in the design of new flying objects.
飛行機 specifically means 'airplane'. 飛行体 is a more general term that includes airplanes, helicopters, drones, and other flying vehicles.
Compound of 飛行 (hikō, 'flight') and 体 (tai, 'body' or 'object'), literally 'flight body'. A modern technical term.