In the late 80's I attended an NHA in San Diego CA. At the time, the XV-15 to V-22 move was being made, and one of our (Navy) presenters described what was seen in industry as a significant potential market: Japan. Not a lot of land for runways, plenty of market for air travel, tilt rotor deemed then an excellent fit for their needs.
He'd been approached by some Japanese in the business world and (if I recall this correctly) been advised that "if you don't take advantage of this technology, we can and will. It meets a lot of our needs." Or words to that effect. (At the time, the LAMPS world in the Navy had fantasies of a V-22 style acft on the back of frigates and cruisers ... which hasn't happened. Seahawk meets the needs sufficiently).
I think some assumptions on cost were made that have since not born out as true. Also, high speed rail may be filling some of that niche requirement in Japan. I am guessing also high speed rail in Europe.
What is the market sector/niche that this aircraft fulfills, now, and in the year 2015, and year 2025?
I think it's a great bit of aircraft, but as other transport options mature and evolve, doesn't the 609's market niche shrink? Getting it to market in a timely fashion may help create or improve market. But it needs to get to market.
I see considerable wisdom in FH1100's post: when can this be gotten to market and sold, with support contracts as well?
How do you then grow the market?
To me, the key advantage of 609 is that you decouple your transport requirement from airports and trainstations, which are chokepoints/time sinks. But one still needs "X" quality of surface to operate from, and "Y" clearance, and "Z" adherence to noise abatements requirements in urban areas. Anyone have insight on the noise profile of 609? Noise has been a concern for the civil helicopter market, urban areas in particular, for quite a while.