The Gatekeeper was designed to provide a solution for an unmanned, long-life perimeter sensor fence at a known location. Because of the required long life capability, it was required that it harvest energy from the ocean surface.
Gatekeeper was also designed to provide RACOM communication for undersea assets deployed by air and submarine. Specific focus was placed on enabling FORCEnet communications while not placing Navy personnel at-risk. The complete Gatekeeper system is composed of a surface vehicle with LOS and OTH communications and an underwater acoustic modem. Tests have shown the ability to station-keep within a 5-meter circle, energy harvest and provide an underwater communications link from the surface.