AAAAaaaaaughhhhh! USS Enterprise ... again.

I've stared at probably hundreds of photos of this ship as I attempt to update the ancient Revell kit to Big E's 2006 appearance ... I see it in my sleep ... I swear I could draw the damn thing freehand by now ... and then yesterday, I was checking another detail as I was touching up areas on the flight deck and ... what the heck is THAT??? How long has it been there??? Is it on there now???

Starboard side, aft, the sponson where the original missiles were to be mounted. All photos except those from the most recent deployment show the deck there empty, but now there is something that looks like a long, angular box mounted there, with a series of holes in the front and back of it, and the sponson appears to have been modified as well. What is it? I think I need to go slam my hand in the car door a few times, I seem to have focusing issues.