Chaff/flare dispenser mounting points.
I would have thought so also, but it kind of looks angled in the picture. and this attachment shows it not angled. (#82 is the right side countermeasures dispenser.)
Although it would make sense.
I noticed on the lego model and actual toy model documentation they have the protrusion also.. Angled downward going forward
Of course the only official looking document shows a dispenser that is parallel with the ground (which wouldn't make sense for a dispenser),, Lego and the model company seem to have gotten the look right.
I spent WAY too much time on this.
Thanks
Joel