Technological Transition in Iran’s Air Combat Socio-Technical System with Focus on UAV Technology

This paper attempts to provide an analysis of the trend of innovation in Iran's air combat regime, focusing on UAV technology and according to the changes of landscape and air combat regime-based on manned aircraft during the 1340-90 decades. For this purpose, the theory of social-technical systems and the strategic niche management approach is used. The research strategy is a case study, its purpose is descriptive, based on historical analysis of events and its qualitative approach. Data collection tools include studying documents, conducting interviews, and the writer's life experience in order to create a chain of observations. Analyzing the changes of this system in the five historical periods, it was discovered that the occurrence of the Islamic Revolution and then the imposed war and the limits of the air combat regime-based on manned aircraft in meeting the operational demands have led to the formation of a UAV niche and its development. At present, UAV technology is at the take-off phase, following the predevelopment phase (pre-Islamic revolution to the end of war) and development (from 1367-1388). The development of expectations, the expansion of the network of actors, the creation of a space for testing technological achievements, and the development of learning in the niche, has led to the development of UAV technology and its penetration and diffusion into the air power regime. However, deepening and embedding it in this system, as a complementary technology alongside manned aircraft, requires the adoption of policies and measures.