Phased array antenna systems and methods

Systems and methods are disclosed herein providing an improved approach to phased array antenna communications. In one example, an antenna system includes a digital beamformer adapted to receive a plurality of input signals and selectively replicate and weight the input signals to provide a plurality of digital subarray signals. Digital to analog (D/A) converters convert the digital subarray signals to a plurality of composite analog subarray signals. Modules of a subarray are adapted to perform analog beamsteering on at least one of the composite analog subarray signals. In another example, a subarray of a phased array antenna may include a thermal cold plate, a plurality of feed/filter assemblies, a distribution board stacked on the thermal cold plate, and a plurality of modules adapted to perform analog beamsteering. The modules may be interconnected with each other through the distribution board and removably inserted into the distribution board.