The AH-64A was the result of the Advanced Attack Helicopter program which was started in 1972 in order to replace the aging AH-1 Cobra series of attack helicopters. In 1976, after flight tests of all the proposed designs for the program, the YAH-64 ultimately was selected. The original planned loadout for the AH-64 was 16 BGM-71 TOW missiles and a 30mm cannon; however, due to the AGM-114 Hellfire being developed in tandem with the YAH-64 – a missile which featured significantly improved range and lethality compared to the BGM-71 TOW – the requirements for the production variant of the AH-64 were altered to allow for the same amount of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles as the previous requirement of 16 BGM-71 TOW missiles. With over 900 aircraft built, many of them still in active service in countries such as Greece, Israel and Saudi Arabia, the AH-64A is one of the most used attack helicopters in the world.

Introduced in Update 1.97 "Viking Fury", the AH-64A Apache features one of the most versatile loadouts in the game, being able to combine Hydra-70 and APKWS-II rockets, AGM-114 Hellfire, AIM-9L Sidewinder, and AIM-92 Stinger missiles while also having access to the M230E-1 30mm autocannon with a very wide field of fire and powerful HE-DP ammunition. Being equipped with an advanced, third generation thermal imager as well as powerful optics, this helicopter excels at all engagement distances, spotting and engaging all types of targets with ease while being manoeuvrable enough to allow for flying close to the ground and avoiding detection.