The PCBU was armed with a pair of turret-mounted laser cannons and contained a wide variety of sensors and scanners. Though mostly piloted by droids, the PCBU could also have a sentient officer in control. A backup autopilot insured that the craft would still run if the pilot were incapacitated.
Utilized by the Coruscant Security Force, the PCBU was developed during the waning years of the Galactic Republic and put into service in response to several police officer deaths in the Crimson Corridor. It used as a patrol and pursuit craft as well as its primary role of providing heavy firepower backup to sentient officers.
In 32 BBY, Sith Lord Darth Maul had an encounter with a PCBU in which he completely destroyed it and the droid pilot. He also killed the two officers the PCBU was providing backup for.
In Imperial times, they were piloted by 501-Z police droids.
- Coruscant and the Core Worlds
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia