An electronic scanning antenna system configured for beam scanning operation includes a plurality of antenna modules, each respective antenna module including: (a) a plurality of antenna elements arranged in a plurality of element sets, the plurality of element sets being arranged in a plurality of columns; (b) a plurality of beam forming network devices coupled with the plurality of antenna elements, each respective beam forming network device including at least one tunable dielectric phase shifter unit; and (c) at least one control unit coupled with the plurality of beam forming network devices, each control unit controlling the plurality of beam forming network devices to configure signals to operate the plurality of antenna elements to effect the beam scanning operation.