Abstract: A new airborne remote sensing sy stem——3D image, which integrates GPS, attitude measurement unit (AMU), scanning laser ranger finder (SLRF)and spectral scanner, has been developed successfully.The scanner and SLRF use the same optical system, which ensures the laser point to match the pixel closely.The distinctive advantage of 3D image is that it can produce geo-referenced image and DEM (digital elevation models) image without any ground control points (GCPs).Because surveying GCPs is no longer necessary, it is the software that processes the data and generates data products.Therefore, its efficiency is 10~100 times higher than traditional approaches.The data acquired by 3D image can be processed to produce several kinds of image, such as DEM, geo-referenced image.The data processing involves data decomposing and checking, GPS processing, calculating the positions of laser points, producing geo-referenced image, producing DEM, strips mosaic.The principle of 3D image is first introduced in this paper, and then we focus on the fast processing technique and algorithm.In the end, the data acquired by 3D image in the east of China is processed based on the basis of fast processing technique, and the result shows that the processing technique is feasible and can meet the requirement of quasi-real-time applications.