A computer-implemented method for controlling a phased array system by a distributed control system comprising one or more control stations, the method comprising: displaying , by each of the one or more control stations, a control interface of the phased array system, the control interface comprising a status window, a beam window and a scan window; instructing the phased array system to operate in a selected operating mode, the operating mode selected from among at least one selectable operating mode of the phased array system displayed in the status window of the control interface, wherein the at least one selectable operating mode of the phased array system comprises at least one of an open loop mode and a closed loop mode; receiving a selection in the beam window of at least one beam, the at least one beam selected from among one or more selectable beams of the phased array system available to track a target; instructing the phased array system to form the selected at least one beam; assigning the formed beam to track a selected target detected by the phased array system, or monitor a selected location; displaying in the scan window of the control interface, targets tracked by the phased array system, and beams generated by the phased array system; receiving a selection of the closed loop operating mode of the phased array system in the status window; receiving a selection of an available beam in the beam window; receiving a drag of the selected beam from the beam window over a desired target in the scan window; assigning the selected beam to track the desired target; after receiving the selection of the closed loop mode and receiving the selection of the available beam, instructing the phased array system to form the selected beam at a determined azimuth and elevation; and in response to telemetry data of the formed beam, automatically adjusting the azimuth and elevation of the formed beam to acquire and track a desired target displaying , by each of the one or more control stations, a control interface of the phased array system, the control interface comprising a status window, a beam window and a scan window; instructing the phased array system to operate in a selected operating mode, the operating mode selected from among at least one selectable operating mode of the phased array system displayed in the status window of the control interface, wherein the at least one selectable operating mode of the phased array system comprises at least one of an open loop mode and a closed loop mode; receiving a selection in the beam window of at least one beam, the at least one beam selected from among one or more selectable beams of the phased array system available to track a target; instructing the phased array system to form the selected at least one beam; assigning the formed beam to track a selected target detected by the phased array system, or monitor a selected location; displaying in the scan window of the control interface, targets tracked by the phased array system, and beams generated by the phased array system; receiving a selection of the closed loop operating mode of the phased array system in the status window; receiving a selection of an available beam in the beam window; receiving a drag of the selected beam from the beam window over a desired target in the scan window; assigning the selected beam to track the desired target; after receiving the selection of the closed loop mode and receiving the selection of the available beam, instructing the phased array system to form the selected beam at a determined azimuth and elevation; and in response to telemetry data of the formed beam, automatically adjusting the azimuth and elevation of the formed beam to acquire and track a desired target <EOS>