The face recognition system is designed to be used by drones Isaac Brekken/Getty Images

The US military is developing a portable face-recognition device capable of identifying individuals from a kilometre away.

The Advanced Tactical Facial Recognition at a Distance Technology project is being carried out for US Special Operations Command (SOCOM). It commenced in 2016, and a working prototype was demonstrated in December 2019, paving the way for a production version. SOCOM says the research is ongoing, but declined to comment further.

Initially designed for hand-held use, the technology could also be used from drones. SOCOM documents …