Just a reminder for everyone regarding the COTS/OTS discussion...
The Cyclone was proposed and bought as a "largely non-developmental aircraft". In fact, the rules of the MH competition required that the aircraft selected be "off-the-shelf to the maximum extent possible". BTW, since being announced as the winner if the competition, there has been no "spec creep" to speak of, but UTC has gone so far as to claim repeatedly in its SEC submissions since 2008 that the Cyclone is the most expansive development program in Sikorsky's history as an excuse for the delays.
The subject of S-92 development requirements was raised at the press conference in Ottawa on 23 July 2004 following the contract announcement... excerpt copied here:
"Question: Christian B, Toronto Star. Just wondering what assurance has Sikorsky given you in terms of the fact that this helicopter is not used in any other military and conversion from a civilian version which obviously has some issues. I’m just wondering, you know, Cormorant has claimed this will, you know, push it back by years.
Alan Williams: First of all the company we have selected, Sikorsky International, is one of the world renowned helicopter manufacturers. They’ve got a history of competence and capability in delivery that ranks with anybody and secondly, this model is on the production line albeit in a commercial mode but they have already sold a fair number and have produced a number. Thirdly, any helicopter that we would have acquired would have to be tailored to meet our needs. The frame is one that’s in production. The mission systems that will be integrated by General Dynamics Canada are all commercial off the shelf products. The challenge of course is the sophisticated integration. So we have absolutely no doubt that it can be done. The bid produced by Sikorsky reflects its rigorous planning of activities. They’ve submitted to us a plan that had 24 pages, 4,912 activities, each one constant, each one scheduled with required resources. We’ll be monitoring that very very closely to make sure they deliver on what they said but there’s absolutely no doubt in our minds that they have shown us that they have the capability to deliver the plan and the product that we need."