Abstract: An optical control system for a phased-array antenna system employs a time-multiplexed optical control architecture to provide very fast (a few hundred beams per second) antenna beam scanning using slow (milliseconds) response spatial light modulators in two optical signal processing channels. In each channel a cascade of relatively slow switching speed nematic liquid crystal cell spatial light modulators and associated free space delay units or fiber optic delay cables are disposed to receive transmit or receive optical input signals comprising a plurality of light beams. The control voltages applied to the spatial light modulators determine the paths of the light beams through the cascade and the differential time delay imparted to the light beams in the input optical signal. High speed 90.degree.