APAR's missile guidance capability supports the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) and the SM-2 Block IIIA missile. In November 2003, approximately from the Azores, the missile guidance capabilities were tested with live firings for the first time. The firings were performed by the RNLN's HNLMS "De Zeven Provinciën" and involved the firing of a single ESSM and a single SM-2 Block IIIA. These firings were the first ever live firings involving a full-size ship-borne Active Electronically Scanned Array guiding missiles using the ICWI technique in an operational environment. As related by Jane's Navy International: