The Linux kernel already uses not standard C, but a dialect of C defined by the GCC flags they use.
But if you are willing to use something-like-C-but-not-shackled-by-backwards-compatibility, then why stop at arrays and pointers? Just move all the way to D or Zig (or even Rust). These are all languages designed (partially) so that you can port an existing C system bit-by-bit over into them.
Many people who can afford that, are doing that, of course. And that's why you don't really hear much about backwards incompatible developments for C. What would be the point?
But if you are willing to use something-like-C-but-not-shackled-by-backwards-compatibility, then why stop at arrays and pointers? Just move all the way to D or Zig (or even Rust). These are all languages designed (partially) so that you can port an existing C system bit-by-bit over into them.
Many people who can afford that, are doing that, of course. And that's why you don't really hear much about backwards incompatible developments for C. What would be the point?