我國交通便捷，且多以水泥及柏油鋪設路面，致使國軍對輪型戰術車輛需求增高。90年代初期，兵整中心結束CM31測試後，以此經驗作為基礎，研發國軍所需要的輪型裝甲車。民國94年底，由國人自行打造的CM32八輪裝甲車於兵整中心正式亮相。
Reported by Chi-chen Fu
Translated by Warren King
The Clouded Leopard 8x8 armored vehicle has its intended role on Taiwan’s well-developed road network, mostly with asphalt pavements and/or PCC pavements, which facilitate wheeled armored personnel vehicle (APCs)/armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) and their higher speed capabilities. With such good transportation network all around Taiwan, the wheeled vehicles have their edge over those legacy tracked vehicles. As the rising request for the wheeled armored vehicles, the R.O.C. military has been developing the Clouded Leopard family of armored vehicles since 1990s.
The CM32 Clouded Leopard 8x8 armored vehicle is based on a Taiwan-made prototype of the CM31 6x6 APC which was called for an end in the early 1990s after its verification assessment. In November 2005, the CM32, Taiwan’s self-made 8-wheeled armored vehicle, made its official debut at the Ordnance Readiness Development Center in Nantou, Central Taiwan.
The CM32, as the first of its kind, is designed with high-strength steel plate to have greater protection performance than those M113/CM21 tracked armored vehicles built with aluminum armor alloys. The armor of the CM32 provides protection against small caliber ammunition armor-piercing (AP) rounds, with the frontal arc to withstand 12.7 mm AP rounds, to meet operational requirements.
The CM32, a 22t armored vehicle, is powered by a Caterpillar C12 diesel engine coupled to the Allison HD4070 (P) seven-speed automatic transmission. The engine delivering a power of 450hp provides this all-wheel drive vehicle a maximum on-road speed of 110km/h, making it a high-speed monster.
Equipped with an independent suspension and a central tire inflation system (CTIS), the CM32 8x8 armored vehicle can provide better mobility on the road while sustaining basic comfortability on rigid terrains. Its large-sized off-road tires render this vehicle well-performed swiftness and agility on any soft terrain, allowing the operational crew aboard a pleasant and speedy journey while being deployed to the tactical position to carry out given missions. It is considered an important transport vehicle for modernized troops.
