Abstract: An elastomeric bearing system capable of sustaining a high compressive load is adapted to connect the blades of a helicopter rotor to a rotor hub. The bearing system comprises first and second elastomeric bearing elements fixed at the opposite ends of a tie bar. Said first elastomeric bearing element comprises a rigid external housing having an internal truncated-tapered surface with its minor basis directed inwardly, a rigid internal housing having an external truncated-tapered surface with its minor basis directed inwardly, and a resilient body between said internal and external truncated-tapered surfaces. Said second elastomeric bearing element is constituted by a chevron sub-assembly, comprising two tapered elastomeric bearing elements disposed with their minor basis facing each other, both having an individual internal housing and a resilient body and sharing a common external housing with a double-taper internal surface, the internal housings being connected one another by fastening elements.